Can You Use Icy Hot While Pregnant? Usually — But There’s A Caveat
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Icy Hot 30 %-10 % Topical Cream Dermatological Irritants-Counter-Irritant Formulations – Uses, Side Effects, and More
This product is used to treat minor aches and pains of the muscles/joints (such as arthritis, backache, sprains). Menthol and methyl salicylate are known as counterirritants. They work by causing the skin to feel cool and then warm. These feelings on the skin distract you from feeling the aches/pains deeper in your muscles, joints, and tendons.Some products should not be used on children younger than 12 years without a doctor’s advice. Check the label carefully before using on children between 2 and 12 years old. Do not use on children younger than 2 years.
How to use Icy Hot 30 %-10 % Topical Cream Dermatological Irritants-Counter-Irritant Formulations
Follow all directions on the product package. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medication is for use on the skin only. Do not apply near the eyes, mouth, nose, or genitals, and be careful not to touch those areas while the medication is on your hands. If you do get the medication in those areas, flush with plenty of water. Wash your hands well before inserting contact lenses.
If you are using the lotion, spray, or foam, shake the bottle well before using.
Apply a thin layer of medication to the affected area no more than 3 to 4 times a day. Rub in gently and thoroughly. After applying the medication, wash your hands unless you are using this medication to treat the hands. If treating the hands, wait at least 30 minutes after applying the medication to wash your hands.
Do not apply this medication to skin that is injured or irritated (such as cut, scraped, sunburned). Do not bandage or tightly wrap the affected area. Doing so may increase the risk of side effects. You may cover the area loosely to protect clothing. Ask your pharmacist for more details.
Heat can increase the risk of side effects. Do not apply this medication immediately before, during, or after activities that increase skin temperature (such as bathing in hot water, swimming, sun bathing, heavy exercise) or in hot/humid weather. Wait until your skin has cooled before applying the medication. Do not use a sunlamp/tanning bed, hot water bottle, or heating pad on the treated area.
This product is available in different strengths and with different ingredients but with product names that sound similar. Read the label carefully to make sure you have the right product for you. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts for more than 7 days, if it gets worse, or if it keeps returning. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away.
Side Effects
Redness, warmth, stinging, or burning on the application site may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: blistering/swelling/severe redness at the application site, increased/unusual pain at the application site, nausea/vomiting, ringing in the ears.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to menthol or methyl salicylate; or to aspirin or other salicylates (such as salsalate); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product: asthma, growths in the nose (nasal polyps).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
This drug contains an aspirin-like product (salicylate). Children and teenagers younger than 18 years should not use this product if they have chickenpox, flu, or any undiagnosed illness or if they have recently received a vaccine. In these cases, using aspirin or aspirin-like products increases the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. This medication may harm an unborn baby and cause problems with normal labor/delivery. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy from 20 weeks until delivery. If your doctor decides that you need to use this medication between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, you should use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. You should not use this medication after 30 weeks of pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is unknown if this product passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.
Does Icy Hot 30 %-10 % Topical Cream Dermatological Irritants-Counter-Irritant Formulations interact with other drugs you are taking?
Can You Use Icy Hot While Pregnant? Usually — But There’s A Caveat
Don’t chuck out that minty goo just yet! Dr. Victoria Glass weighs in.
April 4, 2022
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Ah, pregnancy — a time when nearly everything hurts at some point, and you’re never 100 percent sure which over-the-counter medications or treatments are safe for easing the aches and pains. A major culprit of pregnancy discomfort? Your back. So, what do you do when you’re expecting and that part of your body (or some other) starts making you miserable? Stretching it isn’t working, and you already know ibuprofen is out. What about some sort of pain-relief cream, though? Can you use Icy Hot while pregnant? Good news: You don’t necessarily need to chuck your stash of that minty goo.
It’s entirely understandable if you’re flustered and fumbling over what to do right now. As with everything related to a pregnant person’s body, everyone has an opinion. Even more confusing? They’re often all different. Since studies pertaining specifically to the use of Icy Hot during pregnancy are scarce, some healthcare providers feel it’s safer to steer clear — even though others deem the pungent cream OK.
To get to the bottom of this question, Scary Mommy asked doctors to weigh in on the science behind Icy Hot’s safety during pregnancy. Keep reading for the answers you need (and some solid advice) to help you get the pain relief you so desperately crave.
Is Icy Hot during pregnancy safe?
As is always the case regarding medications while pregnant, you should check in with your obstetrician or other health care provider(s) before making any decisions. Although Icy Hot isn’t considered a restricted substance during pregnancy, there is enough debate surrounding it to get your doc’s opinion.
But generally speaking, Dr. Victoria Glass — a practicing physician at the FARR Institute — says that Icy Hot while pregnant is typically fine as long as you don’t apply it directly to your stomach. Her suggestion? Reach for a version of Icy Hot that doesn’t contain methyl salicylate. Also known as wintergreen oil, this substance is a “no-no during pregnancy,” as it’s a relative of aspirin. You can use Icy Hot if you choose a version without those active ingredients and/or your health care provider explicitly approves of the exact type of Icy Hot you plan to use.
An important note: Not everything that looks like Icy Hot is safe to use. All you Tiger Balm and Bengay fans out there might have to make the switch! Why is one safe but not the others? It’s all about the ingredients. “Tiger Balm has aspirin, making it unsafe,” Glass clarifies. “So is Bengay.”
What danger does aspirin pose during pregnancy?
“Aspirin may be harmful to pregnant individuals if they are either allergic to it or when used in large doses,” Glass says. “Low doses of about 60-100 mg may sometimes be prescribed to patients with preeclampsia, clotting disorder, and recurrent pregnancy loss — with close supervision, of course. However, high doses of aspirin may result in congenital abnormalities and pregnancy loss in the first trimester, as well as premature closure of the fetus’ heart blood vessels in the third trimester. Low levels of amniotic fluids, as a result of kidney issues in the fetus, and bleeding in the brain in premature infants are also risks if the drug is used for prolonged periods of time.”
So, if you’re pregnant and have a known sensitivity to aspirin, it’s best to steer clear of any pain-relief cream that contains methyl salicylate (aka wintergreen oil) or aspirin itself unless you’ve gotten the all-clear from your health care provider(s).
What other pregnancy pain relief options are there?
As we mentioned before, ibuprofen is out; NSAIDs can reduce blood flow and negatively impact your amniotic fluid. Tylenol, however, is a category B drug, meaning it’s the second safest rating a drug can have. Of course, it will likely come as no surprise that your safest course of action when dealing with pregnancy back pain is to consult your physician(s). In addition to offering suggestions, they can tell if the pain points to a bigger issue, such as a urinary tract infection.
Having said that, the following pain relief options are typically considered safe during pregnancy.
Massage
Be careful here, Mama. While massages can feel wonderful, it’s important to make sure you go somewhere specifically offering prenatal massages. So, do your research. In addition to traditional prenatal massage therapists, you might look into a boutique that offers ultrasounds and early anatomy scans — they often also offer prenatal massages.
Just make sure whomever you book an appointment with knows you’re pregnant so that they put you down for the correct massage with a well-qualified massage therapist.
Warm Baths (With Epsom Salts)
Not hot! Hot baths can be dangerous for pregnant people (or really anyone, especially people with blood pressure conditions). However, a warm bath with or without Epsom salts can make a world of difference.
As you may know, Epsom salts are different from table salt. They’re the big, chunky flakes that come in large bags found in personal care aisles. Athletes often use them after workouts or games since they contain magnesium, which has many proven benefits. These may include soothing stress, nourishing skin, and even aiding digestion. (Perhaps a major bonus for you if you’re dealing with pregnancy constipation.)
To use Epsom salts, simply mix 1-2 cups into your warm bath and escape from the noise and pressure for a good soak.
Heat
Like a warm bath, heat can help loosen tight, stiff muscles. Plus, it just feels so good! Being warm helps you to relax, which helps ease pains. Word of warning: Be particularly careful to keep heat packs away from your belly, and avoid overheating yourself. If your heating source of choice is a heating pad, keep safety in mind. Set it at a lower temperature, wrap it in a towel or thick pillowcase to prevent burns, and avoid prolonged use.
Acupuncture
Current research suggests acupuncture is generally safe for most pregnancies, with adverse effects for baby or mama considered rare. However, you should always consult your health care provider(s) before trying acupuncture during your pregnancy. If you get the go-ahead, make sure the acupuncturist you choose is licensed by their state and certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
Dr. Victoria Glass, practicing physician at the FARR Institute
